Lorena and her children struggled with the impact of incarceration. But the grace of God and the support of Prison Fellowship Angel Tree brought new life and healing.
My children’s dad, Michael, is in prison. He enrolled the kids in Prison Fellowship® Angel Tree, and we’ve received Angel Tree Christmas gifts two times already.
We have two children; our daughter is 8 and our son is 5. Their first Angel Tree Christmas was a few years ago. Their gifts were delivered to us, which was so nice. The kids were very, very surprised. I didn’t tell them about it, and they were very excited.
The kids would always remember that. They kept talking about the gifts. They’d always say it’s from daddy. And they loved the notes from their father with messages like 'I love you so much' and ‘My princess, I hope you have a great Christmas.'
The kids knew each gift was from him. So that’s what made Angel Tree even more exciting for them. They were like, ‘Daddy bought this for us.’ They remember that specific toy, even throughout the year.
Another way that Angel Tree has blessed my family is through the free resources. I didn’t know that those existed before. They are available for all ages. My son really enjoyed his book. It’s like a workbook and activity book for his grade level. He just loved it so much. They also had a workbook for my daughter’s second-grade level.
Being a caregiver to children with an incarcerated parent is challenging. But it’s about being hopeful and being patient to see what’s going to happen and when Michael will be coming home. With the kids, it’s hard every day. Without God, the hope I have wouldn’t be possible.
‘SHE SPOKE LIFE TO ME’
When Michael was first incarcerated, I didn’t really understand who God was. I knew I loved Him, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him.
It’s amazing how God works because I have a cousin who lives in Texas, and I didn't know that she was a Christian. When we were little, she lived in Colorado, and then her family moved away. We kind of lost touch for a while.
When her mom passed away, I would check in with her, and we began keeping in touch again. When we talked, my cousin never really pushed her faith on me. We stayed in touch, and when Michael was arrested, she and I talked. I explained everything to her that was going on, and she spoke life to me. She told me about Jesus in a way that nobody ever had before. This is how God works.
She made me want more of Him. It was like I was so thirsty for something that I never knew I was missing. I kept going back to her to learn more. God removed people from my life—old friends that I didn’t need anymore. My family wasn’t receptive to my becoming a Christian. But to me, what mattered most was finally knowing God.
I have followed Christ from the time that Michael has been in prison, since around January of 2021. I looked for a home church and began watching church services online. Then I decided to go to different churches just to check them out. That was a journey in itself.
After visiting a couple of other churches, I’m now at another one that’s closer to our home. I feel welcomed and am hoping it’s a place Michael will like once he’s out. That’s something that’s very important to him, too—finding a good church. I try to keep that in mind and ask, “Would Michael enjoy it here too?”
FINDING COMMUNITY
I had been looking for a support group for a while, and I couldn’t find one that was faith-based. When I received the resources I had asked for, I also received a letter about different Angel Tree events, including a virtual support group that you can join. That really caught my attention. I joined in March this year, and it’s been great.
Our weekly online support group meets on Thursdays. When I began attending, I was really nervous. I was holding back a bit. But soon after I joined, I felt very welcome. I heard a lady speak about what she was going through, and then I heard another person talk about God’s presence in the midst of everything.
Right away, that gave me so much peace. I felt like these ladies were going through very similar situations to mine. I was able to speak and share about what we had experienced. I didn’t feel judged at all.
Everyone in our group knows the pain of having an incarcerated loved one and how hard it is to take care of the kids that are left behind. It is emotionally and physically draining.
HEARING FROM GOD
When I became a Christian, I heard that God could speak to people. I didn’t know He could do that. I remember waiting and waiting to see if He ever would. And it took Him a long time, but when He finally did within that first year, it was through Isaiah 42:6–9. That verse gave me a feeling of having a mission!
It says, “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
I have to rely on God’s strength every day. And that’s something I’ve never done before. Before, I was very independent; I always did things on my own. Now, I know I can’t experience His presence daily unless I pray.
Like Jesus says in John 15:5, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” That’s literally true. I have to be in God's strength because I can’t do it alone.
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